A HOSPITAL has unveiled plans to build a £50,000 therapeutic garden for people with dementia.

Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust’s Charity has currently raised £36,500 for the project, which will eventually see a new garden based in Baddow Ward of Broomfield Hospital.

The plans were inspired by the success of the forget-me-not garden, based in a courtyard within the hospital's Braxted Ward which opened in April.

Julie Green, dementia specialist, said: “The impact of the garden has been absolutely massive – access to an outside space is so important for everybody.

"The whole design is completely safe for patients so they don’t have to have somebody with them when they go out.

"You just see them take a deep breath of fresh air and calm instantly. It has been one of the most positive things I have seen in dementia care.

“The first garden was about open space and freedom and it has a circular route. The second garden will be very different and will be divided into circular rooms. It will be calming and patients will be able to have the option of both gardens. I would love to show people what a difference it makes.”

The trust’s charity is also celebrating the introduction of the Daily Sparkle – a newspaper designed to provide information and entertainment for the elderly and people with dementia.

Featuring articles, quizzes and old news stories, its aim is to stimulate the mind and improve memory.

Funded by The Friends at Broomfield Hospital, the team began distributing the title to patients in May after seeing how popular it was at Southend University Hospital NHS Trust.

Ms Green continued: "“The Daily Sparkle helps as a conversation starter – often it will make people with dementia feel much more confident. We have had some really positive feedback about it."

Donations can be made via justgiving.com/midessexhospitals.

For more information, please contact the charities team on 01245 514559 or email yvonne.carter@meht.nhs.uk